Three Convicted in LA Insurance Fraud Scheme Involving Bear Costume

Trio pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud, sentenced to weekend jail time.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled, damaged car part or piece of evidence, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.Damaged evidence from an insurance fraud scheme involving a bear costume exposes the lengths some will go to defraud insurers.Los Angeles Today

Three Los Angeles County residents have been convicted and sentenced for an insurance fraud scheme involving dressing up in a bear costume to damage luxury vehicles and file fraudulent claims. Alfiya Zuckerman, Ruben Tamrazian, and Vahe Muradkhanyan pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud charges and will serve 180 days in a weekend jail program.

Why it matters

Insurance fraud drives up costs for all consumers, and this case highlights the lengths some will go to defraud insurance companies. California's Department of Insurance takes these crimes seriously, working to investigate and prosecute such schemes to protect the public.

The details

The trio submitted insurance claims in 2024 totaling $141,839, providing video footage that appeared to show a bear damaging the interiors of a Rolls-Royce Ghost, Mercedes G63 AMG, and Mercedes E350. However, investigators determined the 'bear' was actually a person in a costume, leading to the fraud charges.

  • In 2024, the suspects submitted the fraudulent insurance claims.
  • In 2026, the three defendants pleaded no contest and were sentenced.
  • A fourth suspect, Ararat Chirkinian, has another court date scheduled for September 2026.

The players

Alfiya Zuckerman

A 39-year-old Los Angeles County resident who pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud charges.

Ruben Tamrazian

A 26-year-old Los Angeles County resident who pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud charges.

Vahe Muradkhanyan

A 32-year-old Los Angeles County resident who pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud charges.

Ararat Chirkinian

A 39-year-old Los Angeles County resident who has another court date scheduled for September 2026 related to this case.

Ricardo Lara

The California Insurance Commissioner who commented on the case.

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What they’re saying

“What may have looked unbelievable turned out to be exactly that — and now those responsible are being held accountable.”

— Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner

“Insurance fraud is a serious crime that drives up costs for consumers, and no scheme is too outrageous for us to investigate.”

— Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner

What’s next

A fourth suspect, Ararat Chirkinian, has another court date scheduled for September 2026 related to this case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the lengths some will go to defraud insurance companies, and the importance of state regulators investigating and prosecuting such schemes to protect consumers from the rising costs of insurance fraud.